Sherman Rotary Club Establishes Scholarship at OU Lancaster

May 7, 2013By Cheri Russo

The Sherman Rotary Club of Lancaster has established a $1,000 per year scholarship at Ohio University Lancaster to help non-traditional students complete their degrees.

“The vision statement of the Rotary Club of Lancaster-Sherman states that we strive to provide for the needs of our neighbors, our youth, and our community,” said Rotary Club President Mike Osowski. “Our club feels that Ohio University Lancaster is a very important part of our community and for that reason we have established our initial scholarship at the school.”

The Sherman Rotary Club of Lancaster Scholarship for Ohio University Lancaster will be granted to full-time, degree-seeking students in their second year at OUL. The recipient must be considered a non-traditional student.

“Many older adult students come to Ohio University Lancaster to get a degree to improve their situation and change their life,” said Lancaster Campus Dean Jim Smith. “This scholarship will help remove some of the financial burden and help them achieve that goal. The Lancaster Campus is grateful to the Sherman Rotary Club for starting this scholarship.”

“Higher education and also continuing education play a vital role in today's professional and personal environment,” said Osowski.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must also demonstrate financial need based on federal financial aid standards. Preference will be given to a student involved in the Fairfield County community as a volunteer or in a civic organization.

The scholarship is part of The Promise Lives Campaign. The Campaign is a $450 million fundraising initiative at Ohio University to support scholarships, faculty, the student experience, facilities, and community outreach. So far the Campaign has raised more than $419 million in support of these priorities. The Campaign ends in June, 2015.

On the Lancaster Campus, funds are being raised to support scholarships, arts and culture, facilities and future endeavors through planned gifts.

Ohio University’s Lancaster Campus and Pickerington Center are a critical gateway to education and opportunity for students and the community. Fourteen associate’s degree and nine bachelor’s degree majors are offered, along with four master’s degree programs at the Pickerington Center. The Lancaster Campus has experienced tremendous progress since its founding in 1956, and continues to provide a high quality university education within a small-college setting at an affordable price.